Still no word as to what caused a fire at a two story home at the corner of 8th and Poplar Streets in Bloomsburg Tuesday. The blaze destroyed the home of Gwen Zubler of 304 E. Eighth... and that of next door neighbor Larry Poust. Joanne Kelley... who lives across Poplar... was having coffee with a friend when she first spotted the flames. Deputy Bloomsburg Fire Chief Hugh Gross was one of the first people on the scene... and all he saw was smoke... and immediately requested a second alarm. Firemen were faced with high winds and a heavy snow showers. The flames were so intense... it melted the aluminum siding on the home directly across the street belonging to David Barnes. Poust collapsed at the scene and was taken to the Bloomsburg Hospital... and later transferred to Geisinger in Danville.

Two firefighters were also injured. Deputy Chief Gross says he believes the fire started in the kitchen area of the building. Investigators are expected to be back at the fire scene Wednesday.

Diane Levan Announces

The local political season has opened now that potential candidates can pick up nominating petitions from Columbia County's chief registrar's office. One person to do that is Bloomsburg Town Council Vice – Chair Diane Levan. She would like to replace current Mayor Dan Knorr. Ms. Levan is expected to face first term councilman Eric Bower in the May 21st primary.

Kidsburg

Conceptual drawings of what Kidsburg 2.0 should look like was unveiled last night in Bloomsburg. An estimated 1,000 entries were received from elementary age kids in the Bloomsburg and Central School Districts. Coordinator Deb Huckens says once $250,000 dollars is raised... the committee will proceed with the construction of Kidsburg 2.0. If you recall... the original Kidsburg was severely damaged during the floods of September of 2011.

Hazleton Drugs

Hazleton police now say tainted drugs are making their way through the city... and apparently a mother – daughter got a hold of some bad cocaine. As we told you Tuesday... the pair were found in a Carson Street home and rushed to Hazleton General Hospital. Although the pair has yet to be identified... the mother is in her 50's will recover. But her daughter... in her 30's might not make it.

Hazleton Infant

Hazleton detectives still don't know how a two month old child was injured... and is now in the Lehigh Valley Medical Center in Allentown with head injuries. Investigators are trying to determine if the injuries are accidental... or child abuse. Already... a second child in the home has been removed as a precaution.

Hafey School Auction

There will be an auction Saturday in Hazleton... selling what's left of the Bishop Hafey High School... and the former Holy Family Academy. A Sheppton auction company will begin the bidding at 9 O'clock Saturday at the former school in the 1700 block of West 22nd Street. The building is now the property of the Hazleton Area School district who purchased it last year.

Crash Folo Up

A Mt. Carmel man remains in critical condition at the Geisinger Medical Center... two weeks after his pick up truck collided head on with an SUV near Marion Heights. 52 – year old Glenn Meredith's pick up truck was swerving and slammed head on into the SUV... killing two passengers in the rear seat. Thus far police have not filed any charges against Meredith.

Snyder Stabbing

State police at Selinsgrove say two people are being held in the Snyder County jail in connection with the weekend stabbing death of a 71 – year old Middleburg woman. Bonnie Jean Snook of Creek Road in Beaver Township was found dead early early Sunday morning. Her husband was stabbed. In custody... is Snook's grandson Joshua.... as well as his wife, Jennifer.... both of Sunbury.

WHLM Sports

Basketball Playoff

The Bloomsburg High School boys and girls basketball teams opened the District 4 AA playoffs Tuesday night in Danville. WHLM's Jim Doyle reports... the Bloomsburg Panthers boys high school basketball team captured their first playoff victory since the late 90's with a 49 – 45 win over Hughesville. They advance to the next playoff round at a time, date and place to be announced. On the girls side... Lewisburg defeated Bloomsburg 58 to 37. While Bloomsburg's season comes to an end.... Lewisburg advances into the next round of playoffs.

High School Girls

In a District 4 Class A girls game last night... St. John Newman defeated Millville 47 – 33.

Wednesday night in a District 2 girls AAA game. Berwick is at Holy Redeemer

BU Basketball

The Bloomsburg University men's and women's basketball teams play Mansfield Thursday night at the Nelson Field House starting with the women's game at 5:30. Catch all the action on the WHLM Stations starting with the pregame show at 5:10.

College Basketball

In college basketball last night, top ranked Indiana faced 4th ranked Michigan State. At the buzzer... Indiana getting by Michigan State 72 – 68.